World War III: What Ifs?At the end of World War II, two superpowers emerged from the confl ict: the United States and the Soviet Union. In the decades that followed, these two superpowers faced off in what became known as the Cold War. This issue analyzes the military aspects of that long struggle between the two powers. The approach is to analyze where World War III might have started and been fought in each of the decades between 1945 and 1991. The chapters include original maps, orders of battle, and photographs. It is written to be of value to newcomers as well as those who consider themselves experts. The prose is clear and free of jargon, but rich in detail and analysis. This issue includes a map poster.

Last Stand at Isandlwana, 22 January 1879 is a two-player tactical wargame of low-intermediate complexity simulating the last 90 to 240 minutes of that infamous and legendary battle of the Anglo-Zulu War. The Zulu player is on the offensive, attempting to wipe out the entire British force on the map as quickly as possible. The British is attempting to win by having some remnant hold out longer than occurred historically or, alternatively, by having some portion of his command escape off the map and get back to relative safety at Roarke’s drift.

Vikings - Raiding, Warfare, & Empire in the Dark Ages:Vikings are remembered today as ferocious warriors who wreaked havoc in Europe and the British Isles. The true story is far more complex, as they were an integral part of the emerging European Middle Ages.

The Central Pacific Campaign is a solitaire, strategic-level wargame of the struggle for control of the Central Pacific during World War II. The solitaire player is commanding the US forces and the system controls the Japanese forces. The player wins by accomplishing historic campaign milestones ahead of what was done historically, thereby opening the way for an earlier invasion of Okinawa or Formosa.

Central Pacific Campaign 1943-1944: The Pacific Theater of Operations had reached an equilibrium by the spring of 1943. In the course of the next year the Allies would bring the war within reach of the Japanese Home Islands.

Soyuz ’81is an intermediate low complexity two-player wargame covering the possibilities inherent within the first month of that never-run operation. The Soviet side encompasses all Soviet, East German and Czechoslovakian forces. The Polish side consists of that nation’s regular army and state militia. Each hex represents 16 miles (26 km) from side to opposite side. Each turn represents one tenth of a month (approximately three days). Each unit of maneuver is a division. The game map covers Poland and the adjacent jump off areas for the Soviet Army.